Friday, November 8, 2024

JCC Man Found Not Guilty By Reason of Insanity in Attempted Assault, Abduction

The Williamsburg-James City County Courthouse. (Staff Photo)
The Williamsburg-James City County Courthouse. (Staff Photo)

A James City County man was found not guilty by reason of insanity on two charges after he allegedly chased a 12-year-old girl and attempted to abduct a 9-year-old girl.

Christopher Andrew Lee, 18, had received five criminal charges but three were dropped in exchange for two that were heard in WJCC Circuit Court on Thursday.

One count of simple assault was related to a Sept. 25, 2015, incident when Lee allegedly attempted to make contact with a 12-year-old girl.

According to a JCC police report, Lee motioned to a girl who was skateboarding in the Lake Powell and Chestnut area. Shortly afterward, he ran toward the girl, who ran home but discovered Lee hiding behind a tree when exiting her home later, the report states. He ran toward her again and was confronted by the girl’s father who asked him to leave the property, the report states.

An investigation following this incident revealed Lee had made contact with a 9-year-old girl at the William & Mary Education Center on Sept. 19. He told her he had something to show her in the bathroom but she did not go into the bathroom with him, according to the report. This incident led to one count of attempted abduction with intent to defile.

During the circuit court hearing, Lee’s attorney, Patrick Bales, presented a waiver of indictment, with which Lee gave up his right to have a grand jury formally charge him with a crime, and a plea agreement, with which he plead not guilty by reason of insanity.

Lee will be placed in the custody of the Commissioner of Behavioral Health and a mental health evaluation will be completed.

Following the evaluation, a review of the case will be held Feb. 29.

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